Have you noticed that your personal habits have gotten slightly less appealing since you began working from home? It’s sad that people “let themselves go” because there is no one around to impress. Is your body a body developed by seclusion?

Personal habits like grooming, using deodorant, bathing regularly, wearing clothes appropriate for meeting company or visitors, and taking the time to rest and recuperate are all important habits whether you work in an office in or outside the home.

Allowing your personal habits to become sloppy can become a mental and emotional hazard which affects the quality of your work. How you think about yourself can affect how others treat you. It sounds silly and overrated, but good grooming habits really can come across in your voice, your actions, and your decisions. Too much private time or time without interaction with other people or at least not sitting on the sidelines by taking a trip to the mall and people-watching, can be seclusion overload.

Having a strong personal will to succeed includes maintaining yourself, inside and out. If you want to give off a feeling to other people that is negative, then you have no worries. But if you prefer to keep an image of professionalism, beware your personal habits.

Sloppy personal habits may seem more comfortable occasionally, especially after taking a trip somewhere and having to dress from top to bottom in fancy clothes that normally feel like you’re just wearing a costume for the outside world. There is a feeling of relief and immediate stress reduction when you can go home, kick off the dress shoes, and grab those sweatpants and your favorite old tee shirt to relax for the evening. However, making this an every day, all day event on a regular basis means you should reflect upon your personal standards.

If you’ve become something the dog wouldn’t drag up, your work may be suffering in quality, and your life may have become lonely simply because people get a negative or depressed feeling when around you. Take notice and recharge your inner batteries. Picture yourself improving. Get a haircut or a massage. Begin taking walks to enjoy the beauty and serenity of nature or just to get your blood pumping and a change of scenery.

Refreshing your mind is a must for success. Refreshing your personal image and positive outlook is a must as well. If seclusion is your idea of a perfect situation, you may be surprised how it can overtake your body as well as your mind. Dreaming about it and being forced to live a life of seclusion are different.

Get out of that house, that office, that yard, neighborhood, or whatever! You don’t have to throw a big party and invite a crowd of strangers to keep your sanity and your proper perspective. But it certainly helps to avoid seclusion when it begins to affect you in negative ways. Remember, a body by seclusion can also mean you’ve reached hermit status. Shake off that safety net and get a little brave. Just a little change at a time can be productive and a path to better work results and inner happiness.

This is a guest post by Shawnee Bowlin.  You can learn more about Shawnee by visiting our featured writers section.